As the Election Commission initiates the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, many migrant workers from Bihar, residing in Delhi, are facing uncertainty and confusion regarding the necessary documentation, particularly concerning the relevance of the Aadhaar card.
Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number, was conceived as a proof of identity, but not of citizenship. Over 140 crore Aadhaar numbers have been issued in the last 15 years. Recent measures, however, aim to restrict Aadhaar access exclusively to Indian citizens. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is now planning to use online databases of documents such as passports, ration cards, birth and matriculation certificates to verify identity before issuing Aadhaar numbers.
The Election Commission's directive for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) requires proof of place of birth, rendering Aadhaar and voter cards insufficient for the new enrollment. The list of 11 documents considered valid by the EC includes passport, birth, caste, tribe, or education certificates, land allotment records, and ID cards issued by public sector enterprises or local government authorities.
Many migrants in Delhi express concerns about their ability to provide the required documents. Some migrants have submitted their Aadhaar cards despite the uncertainty about their efficacy. A migrant worker named Ankit Kumar, who only possesses an Aadhaar and voter card, finds himself unable to meet the EC's demands for proof of place of birth. Another migrant, Amarjeet Kumar, reports having lost all his documents to theft and is struggling to replace them.
The sudden implementation of the SIR and the demand for specific documents have raised concerns about potential disenfranchisement, especially for those who are illiterate or lack the necessary paperwork. Some view the SIR as a harsh "eligibility test" that could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
In light of instances where illegal immigrants have obtained Aadhaar cards using false documentation, authorities are tightening the norms for issuing Aadhaar, especially for adults. The process now involves a second layer of verification, cross-checking data with government databases, and shifting the responsibility for verification to state authorities. Aadhaar will be issued only after document authentication through a designated state portal. These stricter measures are aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from procuring the unique ID and ensuring that only verified Indian citizens receive Aadhaar.
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena, has directed the Delhi government to make Aadhaar registrations "foolproof" and to switch to an in-house model of Aadhaar enrollment within two months. This directive comes amid concerns that illegal migrants obtaining Aadhaar cards has wider ramifications for national security.